Prescription form filing system

ABSTRACT

A prescription form filing and data entry system, with a movable writing shell carried by a pull-out drawer of a filing cabinet, there being a special grid on the shelf to facilitate data entry on a prescription form removed from the drawer and placed on the shelf.

United States Patent [19 1 Patterson [451 Feb. 11, 1975 PRESCRIPTION FORM FILING SYSTEM [76] lnventor: Richard J. Patterson, 2170 Century Park East, Los Angeles, Calif. 90067 [22] Filed: Feb. 20, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 334,139

[52] US. Cl. 312/234.2 [51] Int. Cl. A47b 81/00, B42f 21/00 [58] Field of Search 312/234-2345, 312/282, 303, 311; 108/92, 102, 93; 206/D1G. 29

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 404,458 6/1889 Woodruff 312/2341 793,642 7/1905 Drain 312/2343 UX 948,235 2/1910 Melancon 312/311 1,158,808 11/1915 Irwin 312/2341 1,180,750 4/1916 1,429,096 9/1922 Pethick 206/D1G. 29 1,507,169 9/1924 Greenwell 312/2342 B X 1,887,102 11/1932 Mathie 312/303 2,627,444 2/1953 3,291,545 12/1966 Bennett 312/234.4 X

Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Attorney, Agent, or Firm-William W. Haefliger [57] ABSTRACT A prescription form filing and data entry system, with a movable writing shell carried by a pull-out drawer of a filing cabinet, there being a special grid on the shelf to facilitate data entry on a prescription form removed from the drawer and placed on the shelf.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEB' I SHEET 1 OF 2 3355447 SHEET 2 UP 2 PATENIEDFEBI 1 I915 PRESCRIPTION FORM FILING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to filing equipment, and more particularly concerns medical prescription form filing and data entry equipment.

At the present time prescription forms of different sizes are filed in such manner as to make difficult their retrieval and use, as for example ascertaining that each newly dispensed drug safely relates qualitatively and quantitatively with those previously dispensed for a patient from various physicians. This contributes to incompatibilities, imbalances and omissions of drugs in prescription handling and use, and wastes the valuable time of pharmacists. There is no system, to my knowledge, which provides the unusual advantages in construction, mode of operation and results as now afforded by the present system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Basically, the invention is embodied in a prescription form filing and data entry system that comprises:

a. a cabinet including a pull-out drawer carried for longitudinally forwardly outward movement relative to the cabinet to expose multiple prescription forms filed in the drawer,

b. a writing shelf carried by the drawer to have a generally horizontal position at the upper front portion of the drawer, the shelf sized to receive a prescription form having multiple prescription entry zones and multiple auxiliary zones, and

c. a grid carried by the shelf for movement in overlying relation to a selected prescription form received on the shelf, the grid having cutaways corresponding to said zones characterized in that said grid movement sequentially exposes, for viewing, corresponding pairs of said zones, each pair including one prescription entry zone and one of said auxiliary zones.

As will be seen, the cutaways typically may include one laterally elongated cutaway or window to successively overlie and expose the prescription entry zones, and multiple laterally and longitudinally offset cutaways arranged to successively overlie and expose the auxiliary zones adapted to receive entry of prescription price data, in responseto advancement of the grid relative to the prescription.

Further features of the invention include the provision of hinge means in the drawersupporting the shelf for swinging movement between extended writing position and retracted position in which the reverse side of the shelf opposite the grid is frontwardly exposed at the front side of the drawer; the provision of a drawer label carrier on that reverse side of the shelf; the provision of means on the shelf to guide the grid for forward and rearward movement, and to retain the prescription form thereon; and the provision of marker means carried by the drawer for removable reception between the forms filed in the drawer to mark the locus of a temporarily withdrawn form.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as the details of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a perspective showing of one preferred form of filing equipment embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical section on line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view like FIG. 2, but showing a drawer extended and a writing shelf in extended position; I I 2 FIG. 4 is a plan view on lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a prescription form;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are views like FIG. 5 showing a grid in two different form-overlying positions; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the grid of FIGS. 6 and DETAILED DESCRIPTION The prescription form filing and data entry equipment 10 of FIGS. l-4 includes a modular cabinet 11 including multiple pull-out drawers 12 carried for longitudinally forwardly outward movement relative to the cabinet. The drawer 12a in FIG. 1 has been pulled forwardly to expose multiple prescription forms 13 filed in that drawer. As shown, the cabinet 11 may have a top plate 14 of suitable size overlying the drawers, side walls 20 and front wall 21.

As further seen in FIGS. 2-4, each drawer includes a front panel 15, side walls 16, and a bottom wall 17, the depth and lateral spacing of the side walls 16 being sufficient to accommodate filing of the prescription forms to face frontwardly for alphabetical filing under a patients name, or by social security number, one such form being seen at in FIG. 5. A pull-handle I8 projects from the front panel 15 of each drawer, and suitable drawer glides or guides 19 may extend longitudinally at opposite sides of the drawers to interfit corresponding guides carried by the cabinet.

In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, a writing shelf 24 is carried by one and preferably all drawers to have a generally horizontal position at the upper front portion of the drawer, the shelf sized to receive a prescription form having .multiple prescription entry zones and multiple auxiliary zones. The form seen in FIG. 5 has horizontally spaced lines defining five laterally extending zones 22 in which prescriptions may be written in. That form also includes five auxiliary zones, such as at 23, in which prices may be entered, each zone 23 corresponding to one and only one of the zones 22.

Further, the invention contemplates provision of a grid or shield carried by the shelf 24 for movement in overlying relation to a selected prescription form received on the shelf, the grid having cutaways or windows corresponding to the zones 22 and 23 characterized in that grid movement, longitudinally, sequentially exposes corresponding pairs of the zones, for viewing, each pair including one zone 22 and one zone 23. In the example as seen in FIGS. 68, the grid 26 is laterally elongated and has rectangular opaque sheet form, with one laterally elongated cutaway or transparent window 27 which is enlarged at its right end 270. Further, the grid has five multiple laterally and longitudinally offset cutaways 28, which may intersect as shown, and which are arranged to successively overlie and expose the auxiliary zones 23 which are adapted to receive entry of prescription price data. Thus as seen in FIG. 6, the grid overlies the prescription form in such manner that cutaway 27 directly overlies the first prescription zone No. 1, and the leftmost cutaway 28 overlies the No. 1 price zone 23; and, in FIG. 7, the grid has been forwardly advanced so that cutaway 27 directly overlies No. 5 prescription zone, and the rightmost cutaway 28 correspondingly overlies the No. 5 price entry zone 23. Accordingly, a druggist is provided with a prescription filing and data entry system that entrances accuracy, reduces filing space, and speeds up prescription processing.

While a selected prescription is being processed on the shelf 24, its position in the drawer is marked, as for example by marker means carried by the drawer for removable reception between prescription forms filed in the drawer. Thus, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the marker may comprise a rod 30 inserted between the forms at the locus of selected form removal, a tether 31 being attached at one end to the rod and at its opposite end to the drawer structure. The tether may comprise a chain, as shown. After the selected form on the shelf has been processed, it is returned to the drawer at the marked position, and the rod is withdrawn for storage in a suitable apertured holder as seen at 32 in HO. 1.

FIGS. 3 and 4 also illustrate the provision of means such as edge flaps 34 and 35 on the shelf for retaining the prescription form on the shelf 24, and also for guiding grid forward and rearward movement relative to the shelf, as referred to. Note that rearward and laterally opposite edges of the prescription forms 13a areremovably retained by the edge flaps 34 and 3S, and that flaps 34 also guide grid movement, as explained. The forward edges of edge flaps 34 may be upwardly inclined, as shown, to accommodate entry of the prescription form and grid.

Finally, hinge means is provided on the drawer supporting the shelf for swinging movement through about 270 between extended horizontal position as seen in FIG. 3, and retracted vertical position as seen in FIG. 2 in which the reverse side 24a of the shelf opposite the grid 26 is forwardly exposed at the front side of the drawer. Such hinge means may be located as at 37 proximate the upper end of drawer front wall 15. It will further be noted that when the shelf is in extended position as seen in FIG. 3, its edges may be supported by drawer side walls 16.

A label carrier 38 may be located on the reverse side 24a of the shelf, to hang at the front of the drawer on the shelf when the drawer is closed, as in FIG. 2.

I claim:

1. in prescription form filing, and data entry equipment, the combination comprising a. a cabinet including a pull-out drawer carried for longitudinally forwardly outward movement relative to the cabinet to expose multiple prescription forms filed in the drawer, the drawer having a front vertical panel,

b. a writing shelf carried by the drawer to have a generally horizontal position in which the entirety of the shelf overlies the upper front interior portion of the drawer, the shelf upper side receiving a prescription form having multiple prescription entry zones and multiple auxiliary zones,

0. hinge means on the drawer supporting the shelf for swinging movement through above 270 between extended horizontal writing position as defined, and retracted vertical position in which the reverse side of the shelf is forwardly exposed at the front side of the drawer front panel and the lower edge of the shelf is above the level of the drawer underside, the entirety of the shelf in said retracted position extending closely adjacent and parallel to said drawer front panel,

a grid carried by the shelf upper side for movement in overlying relation to the prescription form received on the shelf, the grid having cutaways corresponding to said zones characterized in that said grid movement sequentially exposes, for viewing. corresponding pairs of said zones, each pair including one prescription entry zone and one of said auxiliary zones, the grid cancealed between the shelf and drawer front panel when the shelf is retracted, said cutaway to successively overlie and expose said prescription entry zones, and multiple laterally and longitudinally offset cut-aways arranged to successively overlie and expose said auxiliary zones adapted to receive entry of prescription price data, in response to advancement of the grid relative to the prescription, e. guide means on the shelf for guiding grid forward and rearward movement relative to the shelf and for retaining the prescription form thereon,

f. and a label carrier on said reverse side of the shelf 

1. In prescription form filing, and data entry equipment, the combination comprising a. a cabinet including a pull-out drawer carried for longitudinally forwardly outward movement relative to the cabinet to expose multiple prescription forms filed in the drawer, the drawer having a front vertical panel, b. a writing shelf carried by the drawer to have a generally horizontal position in which the entirety of the shelf overlies the upper front interior portion of the drawer, the shelf upper side receiving a prescription form having multiple prescription entry zones and multiple auxiliary zones, c. hinge means on the drawer supporting the shelf for swinging movement through above 270* between extended horizontal writing position as defined, and retracted vertical position in which the reverse side of the shelf is forwardly exposed at the front side of the drawer front panel and the lower edge of the shelf is above the level of the drawer underside, the entirety of the shelf in said retracted position extending closely adjacent and parallel to said drawer front panel, d. a grid carried by the shelf upper side for movement in overlying relation to the prescription form received on the shelf, the grid having cutaways corresponding to said zones characterized in that said grid movement sequentially exposes, for viewing, corresponding pairs of said zones, each pair including one prescription entry zone and one of said auxiliary zones, the grid cancealed between the shelf and drawer front panel when the shelf is retracted, said cutaway to successively overlie and expose said prescription entry zones, and multiple laterally and longitudinally offset cut-aways arranged to successively overlie and expose said auxiliary zones adapted to receive entry of prescription price data, in response to advancement of the grid relative to the prescription, e. guide means on the shelf for guiding grid forward and rearward movement relative to the shelf and for retaining the prescription form thereon, f. and a label carrier on said reverse side of the shelf. 